The United States trade deficit probably widened in March as imports rebounded from the biggest setback in three years, economists said before a report this week.

The gap grew to $50 billion from $46 billion in February, according to the median forecast of 62 economists in a Bloomberg News survey taken ahead of a Commerce Department report set for May 10. Other data may show wholesale prices, the cost of imports and consumer sentiment were little changed.

Companies probably bought more goods from abroad, reflecting higher fuel prices and a bounce back in shipments from China following the Lunar New Year holidays. At the same time exports may fail to keep pace as a slower global expansion hurts sales at companies such as Caterpillar Inc and United Technologies Corp, indicating the US economy won't be able to count on an improving trade account to boost growth.